Pokemon is undeniably one of the most popular video game properties ever, and the past few years have only reflected the series becoming more entrenched in mainstream pop culture through things like live-action movies and the domination of Pokemon GO. Pokemon Sword & Shield are the newest adventures in the series and it’s one of the standout titles to be released on the Nintendo Switch.
Pokemon Sword & Shield keep the property fresh, but it also expands the Pokédex in major ways with a lot of new creatures. Toxel is a new Galar addition that many may have encountered, but it’s a Pokemon that is more complex than its infantile nature indicates.
10 It's The Only Pokemon That's A Combination Of Electric And Poison-Types
There are tons of different areas in which Pokemon can prove their individuality and it's been fascinating to slowly see more types get incorporated into the series. The games haven’t gone overboard in this area and each addition feels justified.
There are so many Pokemon that exist that it seems like every combination of Pokemon types would have been explored at this point and yet there's never been a Pokemon that's both an Electric- and Poison-Type. Toxel and its evolved forms of Toxtricity are now the first Pokemon to fall into such a category.
9 Its Evolution Depends On Its Nature
The majority of Pokemon still evolve through the traditional means of reaching a designated level, but the games usually feature a few Pokemon that grow through unconventional means that incorporate some modern mechanics. Toxel evolves into Toxtricity at level 30, but which version of Toxtricity depends on the Pokemon's nature at the time.
Amped Form Toxtricity occurs when Toxel's nature is either Hardy, Brave, Adamant, Naughty, Docile, Impish, Lax, Hasty, Jolly, Naive, Rash, Sassy, or Quirky. Alternatively, Low Key Form Toxtricity occurs when Toxel's nature is Lonely, Bold, Relaxed, Timid, Serious, Modest Mild, Quiet, Bashful, Calm, Gentle, or Careful.
8 It’s The First New Baby Pokemon Since Generation IV
Evolutions are still one of the most thrilling areas of the Pokemon series. Many were surprised when the games introduced new pre-evolved forms, many of which are classified as Baby Pokemon.
Baby Pokemon aren’t as popular as a concept as when they were first introduced, but Toxel is actually special in the sense that it’s the first new Baby Pokemon since Generation IV’s Diamond & Pearl. This likely doesn’t mean that there’s all of a sudden going to be a resurgence of Baby Pokemon, but Toxel proves that a clever take on infant Pokemon can still be worthwhile.
7 Its Poison Is Stored In An Internal Sac And It Secretes Through The Skin
Poisonous Pokemon can be serious threats that are extremely dangerous when the right techniques are at their disposal. Toxel may just be a baby, but the poison that it contains is still respectable in its own right.
The way in which Toxel's poison works is that it's stored internally via a sac, only to later be released through Toxel's skin as a defense mechanism. Toxel's poison isn't fatal, but it will still cause a distressing tingle to those that make skin contact with it, which can often be enough to ward aware prey.
6 It's The Only Pokemon Who Has Rattled As A Regular Ability
In most cases, the success of a Pokemon is going to come down to their stats, type, and moveset of techniques. However, there are other crucial mechanics to consider such as the abilities and hidden abilities that each Pokemon possesses.
Toxel once again proves its atypical nature by how it has Rattled as a regular ability, whereas it's only a hidden ability with every other Pokemon. Rattled isn't a groundbreaking skill, but it helps define Toxel's character and allows the Pokemon to have Klutz as its hidden ability, which also compliments its infantile nature very well.
5 It Can Be Gifted From A Pokemon Breeder
Pokemon Sword & Shield and its two DLC expansions feature lots of new Pokemon, but some of them can only be acquired through certain means. Toxel is an unusual Pokemon that's difficult to properly master and so the game is plentiful with it and doesn't lock Toxel behind some event.
There are wild Toxel in areas like Route 7, Giant's Cap, and Motostoke Riverbank, but the easiest way to get the Pokemon is to talk to the Pokemon Breeder that's inside of Route 5's Pokemon Nursery. It's a helpful way to give Toxel a chance and see how it evolves.
4 It Creates Electricity Through The Conversion Of Its Poison
There are plenty of Pokemon that juggle different types, but it’s not unusual for one variety to overpower the other. Toxel is a combination of types and its electric component shouldn't be underestimated even though the Pokemon's poison nature is what's typically the focus.
Toxel's contrasting forces beautifully complement each other and the Baby Pokemon is able to naturally create electricity through the conversion of the chemical composition of its biological poison. It's quite a complex way to create electricity that differs from the norm.
3 It's The Only Pokemon To Have A Base Stat Total Of 242
Trainers consider numerous factors when they decide on their team, but some people like to turn to pure numbers and only make use of Pokemon with exceptional base stats. Toxel isn't super powerful but it's a unique Pokemon in the sense that it's the only one in the entire series that has base stats that accumulate to 242.
This number doesn't serve any larger importance, but it still reflects some variation with newer Pokemon. Toxel's base stats all gravitate around comparable levels, with his defense and special defense being the lowest and his special attack the highest.
2 It Draws Inspiration From A Poison Dart Frog
The designs behind Pokemon come from all sorts of places that can be both fantastical as well as grounded in nature. One of the most common ideas behind Pokemon designs is to have them resemble real animals.
Toxel is clearly an exaggerated creature in many respects, but its appearance and abilities bear a lot in common with a poison dart frog. The Pokemon's stature and color aren't dissimilar from one of these exotic frogs, but what's most important is that Toxel is also poison in nature and its toxicity spreads through skin contact, like a poison dart frog.
1 Its The Only Baby Pokemon Who Hasn't Appeared In The Anime
The Pokemon anime series successfully captures the magic of the video game series. The anime is still in production, which allows it to feature many of the most recent Pokemon that are original to Generation VIII and the Galar region.
It’s difficult to showcase every single Pokemon, but Toxel's exclusion makes it the only Baby Pokemon that hasn't appeared in an anime adaptation. This has a lot to do with how there hasn't been any new Baby Pokemon in a long time, but that's even more of a reason to include Toxel to round out the lot.